A liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system using prefabricated cavern enclosures

Abstract

This invention provides a liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system using a prefabricated cavern enclosure, comprising a liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body, a prefabricated concrete cavern, tank body supports, a basin support, and a fire sprinkler system. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body is connected to the bottom foundation of the prefabricated concrete cavern via the tank body supports. The prefabricated concrete cavern surrounds the storage tank, and a certain distance is maintained between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and the prefabricated concrete cavern. The basin support is located between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank supports and a base on the bottom foundation to provide the storage tank with lateral displacement capability. The fire sprinkler system is evenly distributed inside the prefabricated concrete cavern. The liquefied hydrocarbon tank area includes multiple liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank bodies, each independently enclosed within an independent prefabricated cavern. This invention solves the problem of difficult in-depth inspection in traditional soil-covered tank systems, allowing for tank inspection and defect repair without removing the soil cover, thus improving maintenance efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refined oil storage tank technology, and specifically to a liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system using a prefabricated cavern cover. Background Technology

[0002] Liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks are large tanks used to store flammable and explosive gases such as liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas. Safety must be considered when designing and constructing liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks, including aspects such as the tank's structural design, material selection, and construction quality control. Traditional liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank systems using prefabricated cavern covers, such as the soil-covered tank systems in Europe, while improving tank safety to some extent, still have some potential risks in practical applications. For example, the entire tank is covered with sand and gravel, making regular inspections and defect repairs difficult and failing to meet domestic pressure vessel standards. Secondly, the tank itself expands and contracts with temperature changes, and the force exerted by the surrounding soil and sand causes excessive bending moments during expansion. European guidelines strictly limit the tank's length-to-diameter ratio (the ratio of tank length to diameter) to no more than 8, significantly limiting the tank's volume. Thirdly, errors in the construction of the sand bed itself can cause the tank to not fit tightly, resulting in tilting. Uneven settlement of the sand bed can also lead to uneven stress on the tank, leaving potential risks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system that uses a prefabricated cavern cover.

[0004] The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0005] A liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system using a precast tunnel enclosure includes a liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body, a precast concrete tunnel, tank body supports, pot supports, and a fire sprinkler system; wherein:

[0006] The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body is connected to the bottom foundation of the precast concrete cavity through the tank body support. The precast concrete cavity surrounds the storage tank to form a sealed protective shell, and a certain distance is maintained between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and the precast concrete cavity.

[0007] The pot support is located between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank support and the base on the bottom foundation to provide the storage tank with the ability to move laterally, allowing the storage tank to move freely during thermal expansion and contraction.

[0008] The fire sprinkler system is evenly arranged inside the precast concrete tunnel, and the nozzles of the fire sprinkler system are aimed at the center of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and cover the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body.

[0009] The liquefied hydrocarbon tank area includes multiple liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks, each of which is independently enclosed in a separate prefabricated cavity.

[0010] Optionally, combustible gas detectors are arranged in different zones inside the precast concrete tunnel to detect leaking gas in a timely manner.

[0011] Optionally, the two ends of the precast concrete cavity are sealed with fire-resistant brick walls, with only a door for personnel to enter and exit at the ground level, which is made of fire-resistant material.

[0012] Optionally, the external reinforcement of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body adopts a cross arrangement of double-ring ribs and single-ring ribs.

[0013] Optionally, the precast concrete tunnel includes a precast arch and a precast slab, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the bottom foundation, and the precast arch is disposed on the precast slab.

[0014] Optionally, the connection between the precast slab and the bottom foundation uses high-strength anchors.

[0015] Optionally, the connection between the precast arch and the precast slab can be cast on-site to form a seamless joint and improve the stability of the overall structure.

[0016] Optionally, a sand and gravel filling layer is provided between the precast arches, and then the upper surface is poured with plain concrete.

[0017] Optionally, the prefabricated archway has an overall drainage slope of 100:1 to prevent rainwater accumulation.

[0018] Optionally, an elastic gasket is provided between the pot support and the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body to further alleviate the stress caused by temperature changes in the storage tank and improve the seismic resistance of the storage tank.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] This application utilizes the pre-existing gap between the precast concrete cavity and the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body to facilitate regular inspection and maintenance, solving the problem of difficult in-depth inspection in traditional soil-covered tank systems. Inspection and defect repair of the tank can be completed without removing the soil cover, meeting national pressure vessel standards and improving maintenance efficiency. The pot-type support allows the tank to expand and contract freely with temperature changes, effectively alleviating bending stress, breaking the European tank length-to-diameter ratio limit, and expanding the tank's volume potential. The precast concrete cavity structure is more stable, reducing uncertainties caused by sand and gravel construction, avoiding tank tilting and uneven stress due to uneven sand bed settlement, and eliminating potential safety hazards. The integrated fire sprinkler system provides precise positioning, ensuring rapid response and significantly improving fire extinguishing efficiency, surpassing the limitations of traditional systems. Each tank is encased in an independent precast cavity, effectively isolating mutual interference, reducing the possibility of chain reactions, and enhancing safety. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and the precast concrete tunnel.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a prefabricated tunnel with closed ends.

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the tank area layout and the sand filling structure for the dome.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and the support.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. Liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body; 101. Shell; 102. Manhole; 103. Head; 104. Drain pipe interface; 105. Instrument pipe interface; 2. External reinforcing ribs; 3. Precast dome; 4. Combustible gas detector; 5. Precast slab; 6. Tank body support; 7. Pot support; 8. Base; 9. Bottom foundation; 10. Anchor bolts; 11. Fire sprinkler system; 12. Sand and gravel filling layer; 13. Firebrick wall; 14. Fire-resistant door. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0030] The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover provided in this invention refers to... Figures 1-4 It includes the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1, the precast concrete cavity, the tank body support 6, the pot support 7, and the fire sprinkler system 11; wherein:

[0031] The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 is connected to the bottom foundation 9 of the precast concrete cavity through the tank body support 6. The precast concrete cavity surrounds the storage tank to form a sealed protective shell, and a certain distance is maintained between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 and the precast concrete cavity.

[0032] The pot support 7 is located between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank support and the base 8 on the bottom foundation 9 to provide the storage tank with the ability to move laterally, allowing the storage tank to move freely during thermal expansion and contraction.

[0033] The fire sprinkler system 11 is evenly arranged inside the precast concrete tunnel. The nozzles of the fire sprinkler system 11 are aimed at the center of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 and cover the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1.

[0034] The liquefied hydrocarbon tank area includes multiple liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank bodies 1, each of which is independently enclosed in a separate prefabricated cavern.

[0035] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 4The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 consists of a cylindrical body 101, end caps 103, manhole 102, inlet / outlet interfaces, and instrument pipe interfaces 105. It is preferably made of high-pressure resistant and corrosion-resistant alloy steel to ensure the stability of the internal medium. A special coating is used as the inner lining to prevent direct corrosion of the metal wall by liquefied hydrocarbons, extending the tank's lifespan. The external design of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 is cylindrical, equipped with a pressure relief valve at the top and an emptying pipeline at the bottom to ensure operational safety. Furthermore, the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 has external reinforcing ribs 2 inside. The precast concrete cavity is constructed using high-strength, high-fire-resistance precast concrete materials, with a thickness customized according to the tank size. It forms a sealed cavity around the tank, with the bottom of the precast concrete cavity firmly connected to the ground foundation. A certain gap is left between the precast concrete cavity and the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 for easy inspection and maintenance. The inner wall is coated with waterproof and moisture-proof paint to enhance structural integrity. Both the tank body support 6 and the pot support 7 are made of high-strength steel, with high load-bearing capacity and adaptability to various geological conditions. The pot support 7 is embedded in the precast concrete cavity and the bottom of the tank, allowing the tank to move in any direction during thermal expansion and contraction, reducing stress accumulation. The fire sprinkler system 11 has densely arranged sprinklers, with the spray angle precisely pointing towards the center of the tank, providing wide coverage and high fire extinguishing efficiency. It also has a sufficient water supply and constant pressure, ensuring that the fire extinguishing procedure can be initiated at any time. The liquefied hydrocarbon tank area has multiple independently distributed tanks, with appropriate distances between them to reduce the risk of chain reactions. Each tank is surrounded by an independent precast cavity, so even if a problem occurs in a single tank, it will not affect the surrounding area. Fire dikes are set up at the edge of the tank area to effectively block leaked liquids and avoid environmental pollution.

[0036] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 Combustible gas detectors 4 are strategically placed within the precast concrete cavities to detect leaks promptly. Electrochemical, catalytic combustion, infrared absorption, or semiconductor types of combustible gas detectors 4 can be selected, with appropriate sensing technology chosen based on the characteristics of different gas types to ensure high accuracy and rapid response. Within a pre-defined area surrounding the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank 1, especially near the tank inlet / outlet, valves, and other locations prone to leaks, a multi-layered detection network is formed. Gas density should be considered; if liquefied hydrocarbons are heavier than air, detectors should be installed at relatively lower positions, and vice versa, to capture gases of different densities. The number of detectors is determined by the size and shape of the tank, ensuring that all possible leak points are within the detection range. It is generally recommended to install at least one detector at regular intervals (e.g., approximately 10 meters). For large tanks or complex layouts, a grid-like deployment strategy is adopted to ensure full coverage without blind spots.

[0037] Specifically, refer to Figure 2The two ends of the precast concrete cavity are sealed with refractory brick walls to form refractory brick walls 13. Only a door for personnel to enter and exit is reserved at the ground level, which is made of refractory material to form a fire door. The refractory bricks selected are high-temperature resistant and high-strength refractory bricks that can withstand high-temperature flames and have good heat insulation properties. During construction, firstly, clean the surfaces of both ends of the precast concrete cavity, removing dust, oil, and other impurities to ensure the wall surface is flat and dry. Then, measure and mark the positions of the brick walls, ensuring both walls are parallel and perpendicular to the ground, preparing for subsequent work. Next, apply refractory mortar to the back of the first refractory brick, then place it stably in the designated position, ensuring the mortar fills all gaps. Use a brick trowel or other tools to smooth the mortar, avoiding excessive accumulation or omissions, ensuring each layer of bricks is firmly bonded. Begin laying bricks layer by layer from the bottom, tightly bonding each brick to adjacent bricks with refractory mortar, ensuring the width of the brick joints is consistent and does not exceed the specified value. After each row is completed, use a spirit level to check the verticality and flatness of the wall, making minor adjustments as necessary to ensure the bricks are perfectly aligned. The wall should be straight and aesthetically pleasing. The location of the main entrance should be marked at ground level, with an opening pre-reserved to ensure unobstructed passage. The opening should be edged with fire-resistant material to enhance the structural strength of the door frame and ensure balanced overall fire resistance. Additional fire-resistant materials, such as expanded perlite boards or calcium silicate boards, should be added between the brick wall and the precast concrete cavity to enhance insulation. This material effectively prevents heat conduction, reducing the impact on internal storage tanks, and also serves as part of a good fire barrier. Finally, after the entire masonry work is completed, a comprehensive inspection should be conducted to confirm the absence of cracks and loose materials, ensuring the wall quality meets standards. The construction site should be cleaned, remaining materials disposed of, and the work area kept tidy, ready for the next step or for use.

[0038] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 The external reinforcement of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1 adopts a cross arrangement of double-ring and single-ring ribs. Circumferential and longitudinal reinforcing ribs are installed on the outer wall of the tank, forming an interwoven network that can distribute and bear various loads, especially wind pressure, seismic forces, and deformation forces caused by the contents. This arrangement effectively improves the tank's tensile, bending, and torsional stiffness, and reduces stress concentration caused by temperature changes and internal pressure fluctuations.

[0039] Specifically, refer to Figure 1The precast concrete tunnel includes a precast arch 3 and a precast slab 5. The lower end of the precast slab 5 is fixedly connected to the bottom foundation 9, and the precast arch 3 is placed on the precast slab 5. In this embodiment, the connection between the precast arch 3 and the precast slab 5 is cast in situ. The situ casting method ensures that the interface between the arch and the precast slab 5 is completely sealed, which enhances the integrity of the entire structure, improves the overall wind and earthquake resistance, and effectively prevents water penetration and protects the internal facilities from corrosion. The connection between the precast slab 5 and the bottom foundation 9 adopts high-strength anchors, which can be connected by anchor bolts 10. This connection method can withstand large tensile and shear forces, ensuring that the precast slab 5 and the bottom foundation 9 always maintain a stable connection under various environmental conditions, providing solid support for the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1.

[0040] Reference Figure 3 Above the multiple precast arches 3, a sand and gravel filling layer 12 is provided. A layer of sand and gravel is first laid to provide initial isolation and drainage, followed by the pouring of plain concrete to form a smooth and flat surface. This double protection effectively prevents rainwater accumulation and reduces the impact of solar radiation on the storage tank, extending its service life. To further ensure that rainwater can flow smoothly to the surrounding area and avoid water accumulation, the sides of the precast arches 3 at the edges are designed to slope outwards, forming a 100:1 drainage slope. This not only facilitates drainage but also helps the natural flow of melted snow, preventing the danger of ice accumulation on the top of the storage tank during freezing weather.

[0041] In addition, an elastic gasket is installed between the pot support 7 and the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body 1, which can effectively absorb and alleviate the stress caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the storage tank due to temperature changes. At the same time, in the event of an earthquake or other emergency, the elastic gasket can also play a shock absorption role, improve the seismic resistance of the storage tank, and protect the storage tank from damage.

[0042] The basin support 7 is equipped with a temperature sensing element to monitor the thermal expansion and contraction of the storage tank in real time and make timely adjustments to reduce tank stress. The temperature sensing element is typically made of high-tech materials such as resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermocouples, or semiconductor temperature sensors. It is embedded inside the basin support 7 or in a key location adjacent to it to ensure accurate sensing of changes in the ambient temperature around the tank. The temperature sensing element continuously collects data wirelessly or via wired connection and transmits it to the central monitoring system. When the system detects a temperature change exceeding a preset range, it automatically triggers an adjustment mechanism. For example, a rise in temperature can cause the tank to expand. In this case, the structural design of the basin support 7 allows for a certain degree of free expansion to compensate for the volume change. Conversely, the central system analyzes temperature trends to predict the thermal expansion and contraction of the tank in advance, issuing timely warnings and guiding operators to adjust storage conditions, such as injecting or draining coolant, to ensure the tank is in the most suitable temperature-controlled environment.

[0043] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation methods and protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that any equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system using a prefabricated cavern cover, characterized in that, This includes the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body, precast concrete cavity, tank body supports, pot supports, and fire sprinkler system; among which: The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body is connected to the bottom foundation of the precast concrete cavity through the tank body support. The precast concrete cavity surrounds the storage tank to form a sealed protective shell, and a certain distance is maintained between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and the precast concrete cavity. The pot support is located between the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank support and the base on the bottom foundation to provide the storage tank with the ability to move laterally, allowing the storage tank to move freely during thermal expansion and contraction. The fire sprinkler system is evenly arranged inside the precast concrete tunnel, and the nozzles of the fire sprinkler system are aimed at the center of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body and cover the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body. The liquefied hydrocarbon tank area includes multiple liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks, each of which is independently enclosed in a separate prefabricated cavern.

2. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, Combustible gas detectors are arranged in different areas inside the precast concrete tunnel to detect leaking gas in a timely manner.

3. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the precast concrete tunnel are sealed with fire-resistant brick walls, with only a door for personnel to enter and exit at the ground level, which is made of fire-resistant material.

4. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external reinforcement of the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body adopts a cross arrangement of double-ring ribs and single-ring ribs.

5. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The precast concrete tunnel includes a precast arch and a precast slab. The lower end of the precast slab is fixedly connected to the bottom foundation, and the precast arch is located on the precast slab.

6. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connection between the precast slab and the bottom foundation uses high-strength anchors.

7. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connection between the precast arch and the precast slab is cast on-site to form a seamless joint, thereby improving the overall structural stability.

8. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 5, characterized in that, A layer of sand and gravel is provided between the precast arches, and then plain concrete is poured on the upper surface.

9. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 8, characterized in that, The prefabricated arch roof has an overall drainage slope of 100:1 to prevent rainwater accumulation.

10. The liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank system with prefabricated cavern cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic gasket is installed between the pot support and the liquefied hydrocarbon storage tank body to further alleviate the stress caused by temperature changes in the storage tank and improve the seismic resistance of the storage tank.

Images